Monastery of Panayia Yiatrissa

Panayia Yiatrissa is an Orthodox Christian monastery located in the southern Peloponnese of Greece. Built on the former site of an ancient temple to Athena, it was converted to a Christian monastic site, possibly as early as 382 AD. The site grew to include many structures spread over a wide area, but sometime later it was largely if not wholly abandoned. Tradition holds that it was reestablished as a Christian monastery in 1683 and that numerous miraculous healings have occurred there.[1][2]

Panayia Yiatrissa
Παναγία Γιάτρισσα
Location within Greece
Monastery information
Other namesPanagia Giatrisa, Moni Panagia Giatrissa
OrderGreek Orthodox
Established382 AD (re-established 1683)
Dedicated toOur Lady of Healing
DioceseGytheio & Itylo
Site
LocationKastania, Sminos, Greece
CountryGreece
Coordinates36.849455°N 22.387863°E / 36.849455; 22.387863
Public accessyes
Other informationEast Mani 230 61, Greece, +30 2733 094086

Over the ages, the condition of the monastery has ebbed and flowed with the tide of wars, occupations, famines, and faltering or flourishing economies. The monastery complex includes a moderately sized, ornately decorated, Byzantine-style church, and a second small but quaint chapel. Outside, the monastery rewards visitors with scenic 360 degree vistas, made accessible by an impressive rampart that encircles the complex and enables visitors to easily walk the site perimeter.[3]

Dedicated to “Our Lady of Healing,” the monastery is primarily used to celebrate the Nativity of Mary, the feast day commemorating the birth of the Virgin Mary, which occurs annually on September 8. Greek churches dedicated to the Virgin Mary are usually called Panagia.

On the feast day, hundreds or thousands of worshippers converge on the monastery from all directions, individually or in large groups, arriving by foot, donkey, car, bus, or other means. The monastery has sleeping and eating quarters for several dozen overnight visitors, but the remainder either camp outside or find other accommodations.

The monastery maintains a minimal staff of one or two residents. Despite this, it is open most days and accepts visitors and tourists, welcoming even those arriving primarily for the magnificent views of the mountains, valleys, and seas below. Liturgies are held regularly, and special services and visits can be arranged on short-notice by contacting the monastery.

  • Panayia Yiatrissa feast day celebration - circa 1905 AD.
  • Panayia Yiatrissa - circa 1950 AD.
  • Panayia Yiatrissa southward view of modern monastery complex and parking areas (2011 AD).
  • Entrance to upper courtyard and main chapel of Panayia Yiatrissa.
  • The entrance walkway of Panayia Yiatrissa, looking outward.
  • View of Chapel Entrance above Lower Courtyard of Panayia Yiatrissa.
  • Broader view of Panayia Yiatrissa's lower courtyard, facing the Messinian Gulf.
  • Sunset view across lower courtyard with memorial dedication, “Υελούσε Φώς” (“Her Laugh Radiated Light”) in foreground. From this spot, one can see sunrise and sunset.
  • Night-time view from lower courtyard toward main chapel and upper courtyard entrance.
  • Upper courtyard and bell tower of Panayia Yiatrissa, facing southeast toward the Laconian Gulf.
  • Traditional Panayia and Child iconostasis – one among a variety of types found inside the main chapel.
  • This marble Templon with Byzantine-style icons separates the nave of Panayia Yiatrissa from the altar.
  • View of Panayia Yiatrissa's “Christ Pantocrator” icon and arched ceiling/wall iconography of the main chapel.
  • Example of iconography adorning the side walls and arched ceiling of Panayia Yiatrissa's main chapel.
  • Doorway arch adornment recalling ancient nautical theme, at Panayia Yiatrissa's lower courtyard.
  • Door of Panayia Yiatrissa's main chapel, displaying Orthodox (Byzantine) double-headed eagle and serpents.
  • Refreshing fountain flowing with mountain spring-water inside the walls of Panayia Yiatrissa.
  • View along Panayia Yiatrissa's western, arch-adorned rampart at sunset.
  • Moonrise panorama from Panayia Yiatrissa's southern rampart.

Notes

    References
    1. Σαραντόπουλου, Σωφρονίου (1955). Ιστοριία της εν τη οροσειρά του Ταϋγέτου Ιεράς Μονής "Η Παναγία Η Για΄τρισσα" [History of the Monastery of Mount Taygetus, "Panayia Yiatrissa"] (in Greek). Kalamata, Greece.
    2. Σωτηρίου (1979). Ιστορία και Αισθητική της Ι.Μ. "Παναγία Γιάτρισσα" [History and Aesthetics of the Holy Monastery "Panayia Yiatrissa"] (in Greek). Kalamata, Greece.
    3. Λαγάκου, Νέλλη (2010). Ιερά Μονή "Παναγία Γιάτρισσα" Η Παναγία του Ταϋγέτου [Holy Monastery "Panayia Yiatrissa," the Panayia of Taygetus] (in Greek). Sparta, Greece.

    Further reading
    1. Παλαμά, Κωστή [Palamas, Kostis], Άπαντα, 16ος τόμος [16th volume], "Η Γιάτρισσα," [Yiatrissa] (in Greek), pp. 227–229, Εκδόσεις Μπίρης, Athens 1972.
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